We’ve all heard the stories about Buddy’s legendary temper…but damn. Seriously damn. Listen as he rips his band a new and very large asshole.
[via Drummerworld]
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Buddy Rich Memorial Concert Photos
Even if you watched the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert on the Drum Channel, you still need to check out these cool pics from Michael Lowe, owner of the equally cool website Neil Peart Drumsticks. Our favorite is the shot below of Neil and his cymbal-spankin’ face.
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Drum Maker Dead From Anthrax
The critically ill drum maker whom we posted about two days ago has died from inhaling anthrax spores. In this follow-up report, the BBC explores the potential dangers of handling animal skins that will be turned into drumheads. From the piece:
Drum makers are at risk, however low, during the preparation of the skin, which involves stretching it over the frame and scraping hair from the hide to give it a smooth finish. The danger lies in inhaling agitated spores or an open wound becoming infected.
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Vinnie Paul Signs With ddrum
Holy damn. Metal legend Vinnie Paul is now a ddrum endorser and will be unveiling a whole line of signature products at winter NAMM 2009. Vinnie says in the press release:
I’m proud to announce that I am making the move to Ddrum. This opportunity is giving me the chance to expand beyond playing music and bring my own line of kick ass, affordable drums to skin bashers around the world. Simply put, these drums look and sound amazing. Hell yeah!
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Drum Maker Critically Ill From Anthrax
A drum maker from London is in the hospital after he inhaled anthrax spores while handling animal skins. That’s a fairly uncommon occupational hazard for drum builders, so if you’re in the business, don’t freak out (…at least don’t freak out completely). From the article:
It is important to stress that it is the making of animal skin drums that is the risk for coming into contact with anthrax rather than playing or handling drums.
The patient concerned makes drums using animal skins for a living. It is through making these drums that exposure to and inhalation of anthrax spores on an imported animal hide occurred. This is an extremely rare case and this type of anthrax cannot be passed from person to person.
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SilverFox 3S Persimmon
Need a big ol’ marching stick in persimmon wood? As far as we knew, persimmon was a one-time wood of choice for golf clubs and old people’s furniture, but Silverfox has seen fit to unveil a version of its 3S stick made of the stuff. If you actually wield a pair, don’t be surprised if your BPMs slow down.
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Treats From Yamaha
Yamaha wasn’t going to let Halloween slip by without giving us drummers at least a couple of goodies. First up is the company’s Hex Rack System that we first reported on in April. The latest incarnation comes with improved arm clamps and the grandly named “Synthetic Open Sphere,” which makes omelets or cleans floors or something equally useful. Here it is supporting a boner-inducing cock-rock kit (…two penis references in a six-word phrase is almost a record here at BDT).
Next, Yamaha is whipping out ten new snare drums. Models include an all-birch snare in the Stage Custom line, a 10″ Musashi snare, a new Vintage snare, and two new series—the Loud and the Sensitive. No mention of prices in the press release, but the Loud model below looks pretty spectacular with its offset lugs and nine freakin’ air vents.
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Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy Documentary
Steve Smith just completed a North American tour with his band Jazz Legacy. For those of us who missed them, a 10-minuteish documentary has been posted to YouTube (and, of course, embedded in high quality below).
Most sobering revelation: even drumming royalty have to set up their own kits on jazz tours.
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Animal Caught Speeding
Never let a drummer, particularly a crazy-ass Muppet drummer, behind the wheel of an Audi.
[via Gizmodo]
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Nine Minutes With Tommy Lee
RockPages.gr just scored a nine-minute telephone interview with Tommy Lee. It’s fairly staid stuff, but Tommy’s thoughts on New Tattoo, the Motley album that was recorded with Randy Castillo on drums, are pretty amusing:
Man, that record sucks! [laughs] I might as well have not listened to it at all, at least all of it…I have listened to some of the songs on it and they are absolutely crap! Nikki took some demos of ours from the past, like “Hell On High Heels” that didn’t make it on the Dr. Feelgood album, and put them in there….[it was at that point that Tommy Lee’s assistant asked us politely to end the interview]
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Lars Ulrich Vidcast
Headbanger’s Ball turns 20 years old, and we get the present: a 14-minute vid interview with his Larsness. He chats a little bit about the Ball, how the video for “One” introduced the MTV generation to Metallica, and (of course) the pretty positive critical reception to the band’s latest album. Money quote: “I’m psyched that people give a shit.”
[Update 2022: Balls. As in nut sack. The vid no longer exists on MTV’s site.]
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Eric Kretz Takes a Leave of Absence From STP
Stone Temple Pilots stickman Eric Kretz has to miss the final dates on the band’s North American tour because his father recently passed away. Perennial backup Ray Luzier will fill in.
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Protection Racket’s Universal Compact Hardware Case
All you gigging drummers with gold-plated hi-hat stands paying attention? Protection Racket has got a hardware case to sell you for $84.99. Here’s the press release:
All musicians need to protect their instruments, stands and gear. Whether it’s a highly prized custom built drum kit or a microphone stand, up to now, the choice of hardware bags has been limited to bulky, heavy duty bags designed to carry serious weight and accommodate multiple stands.
Protection racket has a reputation for talking and listening to musicians and has been inundated with requests to produce a lightweight, slim line, hardware case. They can now announce the launch of their new universal compact hardware case (product code 5031) where only a small number of stands need to be carried, protected and stored.The new case is ideal for microphone stands (notorious for having plastic clips which can break) or that gold-plated hi-hat stand which can be now be carried individually or a couple of light weight boom stands. It offers protection to that special piece of hardware you wanna keep safe and snug. At 42” long the case will accommodate the vast majority of stands and has two internal straps to ensure they won’t move around in transit.
Built to Protection Rackets top specifications, the case has a fully adjustable shoulder strap, an abrasive resistant base and features the new 2 piece self gripping ergo handle. It is also lined with extra hardwearing Racketex for long life protection.
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Scissor Sisters Drummer Gone
Was he cut? Did he quit? We don’t really know yet, but Paddy Boom is apparently no longer the skin slapper (…eww) for the Scissor Sisters. The band has released this not-very-explainy statement:
We would like our fans and friends to know that we have amicably parted ways with the original Scissor drummer Paddy Boom. He will no longer be on stage with us but he will always be our sister.